Nuclear Weapon Civil Defense Propaganda Films from the 50's

$8.49

Classic propaganda footage surrounding the after effects of nuclear and biological attacks. These civil defense films aimed at educating the public on nuclear fallout.

Atom Bomb and
Civil Defense Propaganda Films DVD

An original
production by The Classic Archives

The 1950's was the start
of the post war atomic age. As the world began to
understand the power of atomic weapons, the cold war and the
arms race officially began. Gone were the days of
innocence. Man had stepped on to a new frontier, the
age of nuclear weapons. During that time, much
misinformation was being spread. No one new the power
of nuclear weapons. The US government released a
series of short films in an attempt to educate (perhaps
misinform?) the general public. These civil defense
films are documented and preserved here, in this rare and
classic collection on DVD. Many of these films were
shown to Baby Boomers in school. Makes a great gift
for the aging Baby Boomer as these films do document a
period in our history that many lived through. Great
for educators, students, scholars, historians, as well as
atomic bomb buffs. You will learn about atomic
fallout, how to survive in an atomic attack as well as a gas
attack.

Total of 2 hours worth of historic footage.
This DVD comes complete with an interactive menu. A
list of films is as follows:

A day called X 1955

Dramatized atomic evacuation of
Portland, Oregon. Glenn Ford narrates this excellently
paced film about the possible nuke attack. Well thought out
pace and narration add to the mounting tension to this film
to great effect.

2 Parts, Sound, B&W, 27:41

A is for Atom 1953

Animated classic presenting what
an atom is, how energy is released from certain kinds of
atoms, the peacetime uses of atomic energy and the
byproducts of nuclear fission. One of the most
enjoyable propaganda films ever made, I loved this
wonderfully animated film. It's very Retro, and since i like
retro, i enjoyed this ad. If you like the animation of 50's
cartoons, you will enjoy this film. It's very optimistic,
Capturing a time before we knew the dangers of nuclear power

Sound, color, 14:42

About Fallout 1955

Attempt to dispel many common
myths and fallacies about radioactive fallout. This
film attempts to minimize the effects of fallout and was
done so in a very "pro-nuclear" point of view.

Sound, color, 8:20

Atomic Alert 1951

Frightening civil defense
procedure film aimed at Cold War-era elementary school
students. A film that shows ineffectual ways for
children to protect themselves in case an A-bomb falls in
their home town. We mostly see Ted and his little sister
Sue, who are home alone when the bomb falls. Sue calmly
closes the Venetian blinds (as if that will do any good)
before they go crouch in the basement.

Sound, B&W, 10:33

Atomic Power at Shippingport 1958

A tour of the first commercial
nuclear power plant. Apparently the Shippingport
reactor had quite a long life and was finally stopped in the
late 70's. The utilization of oxidized uranium must have
been highly cost effective, seeing as how millions of
pellets were created for seed fuel. This film
documents in great and technical detail the building of the
first nuclear power plant at Shippingport, Pennsylvania.

2 parts, Sound, B&W, 28:59

Duck and Cover 1951

Selected for the 2004 National
Film Registry of "culturally, historically and aesthetically
significant" motion pictures. The most recognizable civil
defense film every made. Known to anyone who went to
school in the 50's and 60's. In this famous civil
defense film for children, Bert the Turtle shows what to do
in case of atomic attack.

Sound, B&W, 9:15

Our Cities Must Fight 1951

Civil defense film admonishing
U.S. city dwellers to stay and fight in case of enemy
invasion, rather than evacuate. Filmed in New York and other
cities. In this American civil defense film, a serious
conversation between a newspaper editor and his colleague is
used to emphasize the problems that should occur should
civilians in urban areas decide to evacuate in order to
avoid a major military onslaught. According to the film,
mass exodus would hamper emergency efforts, decrease
productivity, and lead to a significant loss of morale.
Able-bodied individuals who decide to flee the danger are
regarded as treasonous. Unfortunately, the editor seems to
believe that the radiation resulting from an atomic blast
will subside after roughly ninety seconds.

Sound, B&W, 8:56

Survival Under Atomic Attack 1951

"Explains" the dangers of the
atomic bomb, the effects of radiation and how to protect
oneself if caught in the open or in the home. This,
out of most of the civil defense films, is one of the few
most informative and realistic ones ever produced. This also
actually uses stock footage of nuclear explosions, too! We
also see clips of the results of the World War II nukes of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. It has good information
about how the atomic bomb works, such as using radioactivity
and heat to destroy.

Sound, B&W, 8:45

What to do in a gas attack

Explains what war gas is, how it
is used by the enemy, and how simple household items, such
as bicarbonate of soda and bleaching solution, may be used
to prevent casualties.